Carolyn Weese - The Elephant in the Boardroom: Speaking the Unspoken about Pastoral Transitions

Contents

Copyright 2004 by Carolyn Weese and J. Russell Crabtree. All rights reserved.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Weese, Carolyn, date.

The elephant in the boardroom : speaking the unspoken about pastoral transitions / Carolyn Weese, J. Russell Crabtree.

p. cm.

Includes index.

ISBN 0-7879-7257-6 (alk. paper)

1. Pastoral theology. 2. ClergyOffice. I. Crabtree, J. Russell, date. II. Title.

BV4011.3.W44 2004

253dc22

2004002664

To the Crabtree Family Emily, Mark, Sarah, Elizabeth, and Michael

And to the Weese Family Harvey, Karen, Jim, Austin, and Taylor

Praise for The Elephant in the Boardroom

This practical book should be in the hands of every pastor and board chair. It provides the right answer to one of the most neglected areas of church life todayeffective leadership transition in the local church.

Dr. William O. (Bill) Crews, chancellor, Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, Mill Valley, California

Choosing a CEO is probably the most important thing a corporate board does. The church is no different. This book helps elevate the priority and process of properly choosing a new senior pastor. All congregations would benefit from this book.

Terry Looper, chairman and CEO, Texon Holding, Houston, Texas

Practical advice for a critical problem. The authors explanation of strategic planning and organizational culture is worth the price of the book.

Rev. Gary DeLashmutt, lead pastor, Xenos Christian Fellowship, Columbus, Ohio

Crabtree and Weese expose the huge costs and avoidable causes of poor pastoral transitions. They offer a wise strategy to prepare for the inevitable leadership changes every church will face.

Dr. George K. Brushaber, president, Bethel College and Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota

A Leadership Network Publication

The Ascent of a Leader: How Ordinary Relationships Develop Extraordinary Character and Influence, by Bill Thrall, Bruce McNicol, and Ken McElrath

The Leaders Journey: Accepting the Call to Personal and Congregational Transformation, by Jim Herrington, Robert Creech, and Trisha Taylor

Leading Congregational Change: A Practical Guide for the Transformational Journey, by Jim Herrington, Mike Bonem, and James H. Furr

Leading Congregational Change Workbook, by James H. Furr, Mike Bonem, and Jim Herrington

Leading the Team-Based Church: How Pastors and Church Staffs Can Grow Together into a Powerful Fellowship of Leaders, by George Cladis

The Millennium Matrix: Reclaiming the Past, Reframing the Future of the Church, by M. Rex Miller

A New Kind of Christian: A Tale of Two Friends on a Spiritual Journey, by Brian McLaren

The Present Future: Six Tough Questions for the Church, by Reggie McNeal

Shaped by Gods Heart: The Passion and Practices of Missional Churches, by Milfred Minatrea

The Story We Find Ourselves in: Further Adventures of a New Kind of Christian, by Brian McLaren

A Work of Heart, by Reggie McNeal

List of Exhibits

Preface

For more than twenty years, we have been consulting with, researching, and surveying hundreds of churches of all denominations, sizes, locations, and theological persuasions. During that time, we have seen many changes, some of them heartening and others not so encouraging. One aspect has been consistent across all these churches: they do not plan for the inevitable moment when their current pastor leaves. Given the intimate connection between a congregations morale and its pastors worship leadership, we were troubled when we saw that most churches do not have a plan in place to sustain excellence and continuity in succession planning. Writers in the business and leadership world have dealt extensively with the subject, but there are no foundational concepts for handling it successfully in the church world.

With this book, we offer a resource that is both practical and inspirational. It is born of the hope that by helping people face their fears and at the same time provide them with a quality resource, churches will be better able to make a successful transition from one leader to another. We are challenging the reader to think outside the box and grasp new concepts for healthy pastoral transitions. It is our prayer that this book will break the silence about the elephant in the church boardroom and guide clergy and lay leaders, drawing them together to pray, discuss, and plan for pastoral changes that sustain excellence of ministry at the time of a leadership transition.

June 2004

Carolyn Weese

Russ Crabtree

Acknowledgments

Though a book may be penned by one or two hands, there lies behind the writing a company of people who have provided insight, guidance, support, wisdom, life experience, encouragement, and much more. As two explorers on a journey into the wilderness of succession planning in the church, we found we were charting a course rather than following an already prescribed direction. Our experiences in the church over the past twenty years have shaped much of who we are and what we have written. Acknowledging all of the churches, pastors, and people who contributed to our thinking is impossible. However, it is important to mention a few names. Linda Karlovec was a constant source of insight. Leta Cook and Vicki Rush, as friends and church workers, offered continual encouragement. Harvey Weese would not allow us to lose the dream for this book and patiently endured the long days of collaboration.

We also express a special word of appreciation to David G. McKechnie (pastor) and Terry Looper (elder) of Grace Presbyterian Church, Houston, Texas, for catching the vision with us while it was in its infant stage and encouraging us to move forward with the project. We deeply appreciate the very special part they played in making this book possible. Dan Klein, of Texas Presbyterian Foundation, caught the vision for the book as well and spread it among his colleagues.

When we first discussed the possibility of such a book with Carol Childress, of Leadership Network, she responded enthusiastically. Her constant support for the project confirmed that we did have a story that needed to be told.